Side skirt system for a trailer

ABSTRACT

A side skirt system for reducing drag on a trailer includes a side skirt wall configured to be coupled to one side of the trailer to extend below a side wall of the trailer along a length of the trailer. A mounting bracket assembly of the system is coupled to the side skirt wall and is configured to be coupled to a floor assembly of the trailer. The mounting bracket assembly is configured to tilt laterally outwardly and laterally inwardly with respect to a generally vertical axis parallel to the side wall of the trailer.

This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/760,798 filed Apr. 15, 2010 entitled SIDE SKIRT SYSTEM FOR A TRAILER,which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 61/169,933 filed Apr. 16, 2009 entitled SIDE SKIRTAND SIDE UNDERRIDE CABLE SYSTEM FOR A TRAILER, the entirety of eachwhich is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

Cross-reference is herein made to U.S. Utility application Ser. No.12/760,802 filed Apr. 15, 2010 entitled SIDE UNDERRIDE CABLE SYSTEM FORA TRAILER and U.S. Utility Application No. 13/413,998 filed Mar. 7, 2012also entitled SIDE UNDERRIDE CABLE SYSTEM FOR A TRAILER, the entirety ofeach which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to semi-trailers, such asvan-type trailers, for example. In particular, the present inventionrelates to both an aerodynamic side skirt system for reducing drag onsuch a trailer as well as a side underride cable system for preventingan automobile from riding under the trailer in the event of a sideimpact collision, for example.

BACKGROUND

To reduce wind flow resistance and drag on a trailer, truck,semitrailer, or other vehicle, side skirts have been used which extenddownwardly from a bottom of the trailer and/or chassis toward theroadway to partially enclose the floor assembly and undercarriage.

Air flow passing under a ground vehicle imparts a drag force to thevehicle when it impinges on and flows around the vehicle undercarriagecomponents attached to or a part of the underside of a vehicle. Sideskirt systems are designed to prevent or control the flow of air fromentering the undercarriage region from the side of the ground vehicle,such as a trailer of a tractor-trailer truck system, for example. Suchreduction on the drag of the ground vehicle may operate to conservefossil fuels as well as other sources of vehicle drive power for hybridvehicles, battery-operated vehicles, and alternative fuel-basedvehicles, for example.

Truck trailers typically have a higher elevation than passengervehicles. This presents a risk that a passenger vehicle will underridethe trailer in an accident, potentially resulting in damage to theunderriding vehicle and injury to occupants therein. Accordingly, sometrailers may include a side protection device, or underride guard, inorder to reduce the risk of such passenger vehicles underriding thetrailer. The side protection device is intended to reduce the extent towhich a “passenger vehicle” (as defined in 49 C.F.R. Part 571§) canintrude under the side of a trailer, diminishing passenger compartmentintrusion.

SUMMARY

The present invention may comprise one or more of the features recitedin the attached claims, and/or one or more of the following features andcombinations thereof.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a side skirt systemfor reducing drag on a trailer includes a side skirt wall configured tobe coupled to one side of the trailer to extend below a side wall of thetrailer at least partially along a length of the trailer, and a mountingbracket assembly coupled to the side skirt wall and configured to becoupled to a floor assembly of the trailer. Illustratively, the mountingbracket assembly is configured to tilt laterally outwardly and laterallyinwardly with respect to a generally vertical axis parallel to the sidewall of the trailer.

In one illustrative embodiment, the mounting bracket assembly mayinclude a spring configured to be coupled at a first end to the trailerand at a second end to the side skirt wall. Illustratively, the springmay be an extension spring, a torsion spring, a compression spring, or aleaf spring. Further illustratively, if the spring is a torsion spring,the torsion spring may include an upper arm configured to be coupled tothe trailer and a lower arm coupled to an upper portion of the sideskirt wall. Alternatively, if the spring is a leaf spring, the sideskirt assembly may also include a spacer coupled to an inside surface ofthe side skirt wall such that the leaf spring may include an upper endconfigured to be coupled to the trailer and a lower end coupled to aninside surface of the spacer. Illustratively, the mounting bracketassembly may include a channel mount configured to be coupled to theside skirt wall for lateral tilting movement therewith. Furtherillustratively, the spring may be coupled to and positioned above thechannel mount.

Illustratively, the mounting bracket assembly may include a channelmount configured to be coupled to the side skirt wall for lateraltilting movement therewith. Further illustratively, the spring may bereceived within a passageway of the channel mount. The mounting bracketassembly may further include a U-shaped bolt having a curved bottomportion received within the passageway of the channel mount.Illustratively, the spring may be coupled to the curved bottom portionof the U-shaped bolt. The mounting bracket assembly may also include abracket configured to be coupled to the trailer and a U-shaped supportcoupled to the channel mount and the bracket. Illustratively, thebracket may include a spring mount configured to receive the springthereon and the U-shaped support may include an aperture configured toreceive the spring mount therethrough.

In another illustrative embodiment, the side skirt wall may beconfigured to tilt approximately 30 degrees laterally outwardly relativeto the vertical axis and approximately 30 degrees laterally inwardlyrelative to the vertical axis.

In still another illustrative embodiment, the side skirt wall mayinclude a plurality of wall panels coupled to each other.Illustratively, the mounting bracket assembly may be configured to becoupled to two adjacent wall panels. Further illustratively, the sideskirt wall may also include a single flexible flap coupled to a bottomportion of each of the plurality of wall panels. The plurality of wallpanels may each illustratively be made of a composite material.

In yet another illustrative embodiment, the side skirt system may alsoinclude a tether assembly coupled to the side skirt wall and configuredto be coupled to the floor assembly of the trailer. Illustratively, thetether assembly may be configured to tilt with the side skirt wall bothlaterally outwardly and laterally inwardly with respect to the generallyvertical axis. Further illustratively, the tether assembly may include alower bracket and an upper bracket configured to be coupled to the floorassembly, and a pivot bracket coupled to the side skirt wall andpivotably coupled to the lower bracket. Illustratively, the pivotbracket may include a flange coupled to the side skirt wall and a planarportion having a generally vertically-extending slot formedtherethrough. Further illustratively, a pivot pin of the tether assemblymay be received through the slot and coupled to the lower bracket toallow the pivot bracket to move with the side skirt wall relative to theupper and lower brackets.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a side skirtsystem for reducing drag on a trailer includes a side skirt wallconfigured to be coupled to one side of the trailer to extend below aside wall of the trailer at least partially along a length of thetrailer. Illustratively, the side skirt wall includes a first panel anda second panel adjacent and coupled to the first panel. Further, theside skirt wall is tiltable laterally outwardly and laterally inwardlyrelative to the trailer with respect to a generally vertical axisparallel to the side wall of the trailer. The side skirt system furtherincludes a mounting bracket assembly coupled to the first and secondside skirt wall panels and configured to be coupled to a floor assemblyof the trailer. Illustratively, the mounting bracket assembly includes achannel mount coupled to the first and second panels and tiltablelaterally outwardly and laterally inwardly with the side skirt wall. Themounting bracket assembly further includes a spring configured becoupled at a first end to the trailer and at a second end to the channelmount.

In one illustrative embodiment, the channel mount may include a rearwall coupled to each of the first and second panels, first and secondside walls coupled to the rear wall, and an arm coupled to and extendingbetween each of the first and second side walls. Illustratively, thesecond end of the spring may be coupled to the arm. Furtherillustratively, the mounting bracket assembly may also include agenerally U-shaped bolt configured to be rigidly coupled to the floorassembly of the trailer. The first end of the spring may be coupled tothe U-shaped bolt.

In another illustrative embodiment, the mounting bracket assembly mayalso include an outward stop and an inward stop configured to be rigidlycoupled to the floor assembly of the trailer. Illustratively, theoutward stop may operate to prevent laterally-outward tilting movementof the channel mount beyond a predetermined angle and the inward stopmay operate to prevent laterally-inward tilting movement of the channelmount beyond a predetermined angle.

In still another illustrative embodiment, the side skirt system mayfurther include a tether assembly coupled to only one of the first andsecond panels and configured to be coupled to the floor assembly of thetrailer. Illustratively, the tether assembly may include (i) a firstbracket configured to be coupled to the floor assembly and (ii) a pivotbracket coupled to the one of the first and second side panels andpivotably coupled to the lower bracket for tilting movement with the oneof the first and second side panels relative to the lower bracket.Further illustratively, the side skirt system may also include a secondtether assembly coupled to only the one of the first and second panelsand configured to be coupled to the floor assembly of the trailer.Illustratively, the two tether assemblies may be respectively positionedat approximately one-third the length of the panel two-thirds the lengthof the panel.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a trailer andside skirt system for reducing drag on the trailer includes a trailerhaving side walls and a floor assembly and a side skirt system coupledto the trailer and extending downwardly below one of the side walls ofthe trailer at least partially along a length of the trailer.Illustratively, the side skirt system includes a side skirt wall and amounting bracket assembly coupled to the side skirt wall and the floorassembly of the trailer. Further illustratively, the side skirt wall anda portion of the mounting bracket assembly are configured to tiltlaterally outwardly and laterally inwardly relative to the trailer withrespect to a generally vertical axis parallel to the side wall of thetrailer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a trailer and an aerodynamic side skirtsystem coupled to the trailer between the rear wheels and the frontsupport of the trailer.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one of the aerodynamic side skirt systemcoupled to the trailer of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, perspective view of a portion of the side skirtsystem of FIG. 2 showing a mounting bracket assembly of the side skirtsystem.

FIG. 4 is an exploded, perspective view of one of the mounting bracketassembly of the side skirt system of FIGS. 1-3.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken through the mounting bracket assemblyof FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the side skirt system of FIGS. 1-5 showingthe side skirt system tilted laterally outwardly, tilted laterallyinwardly, and in a generally vertical, non-tilted position.

FIG. 7 is a side view of a lower portion of the side skirt systemshowing a flexible flap of the side skirt system.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the flexible flap showing the flap in a flexedposition.

FIG. 9 is an exploded, perspective view of another mounting bracketassembly of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of a portion of another side skirt systemincluding the mounting bracket assembly of FIG. 7 and showing the sideskirt system tilted laterally inwardly.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 8 showing the side skirtsystem in a generally vertical, non-tilted position.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of yet another side skirt system includinga mounting bracket assembly having a torsion spring;

FIG. 13 is a side view of yet another side skirt system including amounting bracket assembly having a leaf spring;

FIGS. 14-16 are enlarged side views of a portion of the side skirtsystem of FIG. 13 showing the side skirt assembly tilted laterallyoutwardly, in a vertical position, and tilted laterally inwardly,respectively;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of still another side skirt systemincluding yet another mounting bracket assembly.

FIG. 18 is a side view of the mounting bracket assembly of FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of yet another side skirt system includinganother mounting bracket assembly.

FIG. 20 is a side view of the mounting bracket assembly of FIG. 19.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a trailer including a side underridecable system coupled thereto in order to reduce the risk of vehiclessliding laterally under the floor assembly of the trailer in a sideimpact collision, for example.

FIG. 22 is a side view of the trailer of FIG. 21.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of one of the mounting bracket assembliesof the side underride cable system.

FIG. 24 is a side view of a portion of another mounting bracket assemblyfor another side underride cable system showing cables of the systemwhere the cables of the system extend across a front and rear width ofthe system.

FIG. 25 is an end view of the mounting bracket assembly of FIG. 24showing lateral cables extending across a width of the trailer.

FIG. 26 is a plan view of a portion of the mounting bracket assembly ofFIGS. 24 and 25 showing a corner cable guide for threading cabletherethrough.

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of a corner portion of the mountingbracket assembly of FIGS. 24-26 showing the corner cable guide.

FIG. 28 is a perspective view of a tether assembly of the presentdisclosure for use with one of the side skirt systems showing the tetherassembly coupled to a cross member of the trailer and the side skirtwall of the skirt system.

FIG. 29 is an exploded, perspective view of the tether assembly of FIG.28.

FIG. 30 is a perspective view of the tether assembly of FIG. 28 coupledto the side skirt system and showing the side skirt wall in an outwardposition, a vertical position, and an inward position.

FIG. 31 is a perspective view of another tether assembly coupled to theside skirt system and the trailer.

FIG. 32 is a perspective view of still another tether assembly coupledto the side skirt system and the trailer.

FIG. 33 is a side view of a trailer including both a side underridecable system and a side skirt system, showing the side skirt system ableto be positioned both laterally outwardly of the cable system andlaterally inwardly of the cable system.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of theinvention, reference will now be made to a number of illustrativeembodiments shown in the attached drawings and specific language will beused to describe the same. While the concepts of this disclosure aredescribed in relation to a trailer, it will be understood that they areequally applicable to other semi-trailers generally, and morespecifically to conventional flat-bed and/or box or van type trailers,examples of which include, but should not be limited to, straight truckbodies, small personal and/or commercial trailers and the like.

Looking first to FIGS. 1-8, a trailer 10 includes an aerodynamic skirtsystem 12 coupled to and extending downwardly from each side wall 14 ofthe trailer 10. Illustratively, the skirt system 12 operates to improvethe aerodynamic efficiency of the trailer 10 by reducing drag and windflow under the trailer 10. In particular, the skirt system 12 operatesto reduce airflow under the trailer 10 while the trailer 10 is travelingdown the road. This reduction of airflow under the trailer 10 mayincrease the fuel efficiency, or the efficiency of any other such sourceof vehicle drive power, of the tractor/trailer combination.Illustratively, the skirt system 12, as well as other skirt systemsdescribed herein, extends below a side wall 14 of the trailer 10 atleast partially along a length of the trailer. In particular, as isdiscussed in detail below, the skirt system 12 extends generally betweenthe landing gear 24 and the rear wheel assembly 22 of the trailer 10.However, the skirt systems described herein may be modified to extendalong a greater or a lesser length of the trailer 10 than what isillustratively shown in the figures. In other words, the skirt systemsdisclosed herein may be modified to extend along the entire, orsubstantially the entire, length of the trailer 10 or may be modified toextend along only a small portion of the length of the side of thetrailer 10.

As shown in FIG. 1, the trailer 10 includes side walls 14, a front endwall 16, a rear end wall 18, and a roof 20 defining an inside storageportion (not shown) able to store various articles or good therein. Thetrailer 10 further includes a rear wheel assembly 22 and a front supportor landing gear 24 each coupled to a bottom wall or floor assembly 26 ofthe trailer 10. Illustratively, the floor assembly 26 of the trailer 10includes various laterally-extending cross members 40 and right and leftbase rails 260 coupled to the cross members and extending along a lengthof the trailer 10. The front end of the trailer 10 is configured to becoupled to a tractor (not shown) for towing the trailer 10 thereon thusproviding a tractor-trailer assembly. It should be understood that whilethe aerodynamic side skirt system 12 is shown for use with a trailer 10,the side skirt system 12 may be coupled to any vehicle to reduce thedrag thereon. As shown in FIG. 1, the skirt system 12 is coupled to thefloor assembly 26 of the trailer 10 to extend downwardly from a baserail 260 of the trailer. Illustratively, the side skirt system 12 ispositioned between the wheel assembly 22 and the front support 24 inorder to prevent air from flowing laterally under the floor assembly 26of the trailer 10 as the trailer 10 is towed by a tractor.

Illustratively, the trailer 10 includes two aerodynamic skirt systems12. In particular, one system 12 is coupled to one side of the floorassembly 26 of the trailer 10 to extend downwardly from the floorassembly 26 generally parallel to the corresponding side wall 14 of thetrailer 10 while the other system 12 is coupled to the other side of thefloor assembly 26 to extend downwardly from the floor assembly 26generally parallel to the corresponding side wall 14 of the trailer 10.For purposes of the description herein, however, only one skirt system12 will be described herein. However, it should be understood that thetwo skirt systems 12 of the trailer 10 are identical in configurationand function.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the skirt system 12 includes a side skirtwall 30 having three wall panels 32 coupled to each other by an H-member41, shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Illustratively, the H-member is generallyH-shaped when viewed in cross-section to define two channels such thatadjacent wall panels 32 are each received within one of the channels ofthe H-member 41. The wall panels 32 are further secured to each otherand to the trailer 10 by a mounting bracket assembly 34. Illustratively,a first mounting bracket assembly 34 is positioned between and coupledto the middle and rear-most wall panels 32 while a second mountingbracket assembly 34 is positioned between and coupled to the middle andfront-most wall panels 32. A third mounting bracket assembly 34 iscoupled to the rear-most wall panel 32 while a fourth mounting bracketassembly 34 is coupled to the front-most wall panel 32. Illustratively,while the skirt system 12 includes four mounting bracket assemblies 34and three wall panels 32, it is within the scope of this disclosure toprovide a skirt system 12 having any number of mounting bracketassemblies 34 and any number of wall panels 32. Further, it is withinthe scope of this disclosure for the skirt system 12 to include asingle, unitary wall panel 32 as well.

As is discussed in greater detail below, the mounting bracket assemblies34 are configured to couple the wall portions 32 of the skirt system 12to the floor assembly 26 of the trailer 10. Furthermore, the mountingbracket assemblies 34 allow the skirt system 12 to tilt laterally bothinwardly and outwardly relative to the floor assembly 26 of the trailer10, as shown in FIG. 6, for example. The ability of the skirt wall 30 totilt bi-laterally relative to the cross member 40 (i.e., to tilt bothinwardly and outwardly relative to the cross-member 40) allows the skirtwall 30 to potentially avoid damage when the trailer 10 traverses intoor over a fixed, immovable obstacle, for example, and thus runslaterally into the obstacle, for example. It should also be understood,however, that the skirt system 12 be sufficiently rigidly mounted to thefloor assembly 26 such that the skirt system 12 is generally preventedfrom tilting under normal wind and road air forces.

Illustratively, each wall panel 32 is made of a composite material. Forexample, the composite material may include a plastic core and metalouter skins coupled to the plastic core. Such a composite materialprovides a rigid, but lightweight and durable material. Illustratively,for example each wall panel 32 may be made of a DURAPLATE® compositepanel provided by Wabash National Corporation of Lafayette, Ind.DURAPLATE® composite panels are constructed of a high-densitypolyethylene plastic core bonded between two high-strength steel skins.It should be understood that other suitable composite materials may beused as well. Further, the wall panels 32 may be of any number ofsuitable, non-composite materials such as metals, metal alloys, and/orplastics, for example.

As shown in FIG. 2, the skirt system 12 further includes a flexible flap36 coupled to the bottom edge of the wall panels 32. Illustratively, theflexible flap 36 is made of plastic. However, other suitable materialsmay be used as well. As is discussed in greater detail below, theflexible flap 36 is further operates to resist airflow and may preventdamage to the skirt wall 30 from forces applied vertically such as insituations where the trailer 10 may traverse over a curb or railroadtrack where the road surface is not flat. In such instances, forexample, the flap 36 is configured to bend, or flex to prevent damage tothe skirt wall 30.

As shown in FIG. 2, the skirt system 12 includes a single, unitary flap36 coupled to the three wall panels 32. However, it is within the scopeof this disclosure to include any number of flexible flaps 36. Furtherillustratively, the wall panels 32 make up approximately 70% of thetotal height of the skirt wall 30 while the flap 36 makes upapproximately the lower 30% of the total height of the skirt wall 30. Ofcourse, it is within this disclosure to include wall panels and/or flapshaving other suitable heights as well.

Looking now to FIGS. 4 and 5, each mounting bracket assembly 34 iscoupled to a cross-member 40 of the floor assembly 26 of the trailer 10.Illustratively, each mounting bracket assembly 34 includes a channelmount 42 configured to be coupled to adjacent wall panels 32 of the sidewall 30, a mounting plate 44, and an extension spring 46. As shown inFIGS. 4 and 5, the mounting plate 44 includes a base wall 50 and twoside flanges 52 coupled to and angled downwardly from each side of thebase wall 50. Illustratively, the mounting plate 44 is coupled to thecross-member 40 by a U-bolt 48 received through two apertures 54 formedin the base wall 50 of the mounting plate 44. The U-bolt 48 includesthreaded ends 56 which are each received through a respective aperture58 formed in the bottom, horizontal flange 59 of the cross-member 40.Nuts 60 are threaded onto the ends 56 to secure the U-bolt 48 and themounting plate 44 to the cross-member 40. Illustratively, while a U-boltis shown and described herein, it is also within the scope of thisdisclosure to use an eye bolt or other such fastener onto which thespring 46 may be coupled (as is discussed below).

The channel mount 42 of the mounting bracket assembly 34 includesspaced-apart side walls 62, a top wall 64 coupled to each side wall 62,a rear wall 66 including side flanges 67 extending outwardly therefrom,as shown in FIG. 4, and a front wall 65 coupled to each side wall 62.Illustratively, the side walls 62, front wall 65, and rear wall 66cooperate to define a passageway 63 therebetween. While the channelmount 42 is shown to include the front wall 65, it is within the scopeof this disclosure to include a channel mount lacking such a front wallin order to gain access to the extension spring 46 positioned within thepassageway 63. Illustratively, each side flange 67 includes a pluralityof apertures 68 formed therein. Each aperture 68 is configured toreceive a fastener (not shown) such as a bolt, rivet, or screw, forexample, in order to couple the channel mount 42 to a wall panel 32. Thetop wall 64 of the channel mount 42 includes an aperture 70 configuredto receive the U-shaped portion of the U-bolt 48 therein. A bolt 72 isreceived through an aperture 74 formed in each side wall 62 of thechannel mount 42. The bolt 72 is secured to the channel mount 42 by anut 76 such that the bolt 72 extends horizontally across the passageway63 of the channel mount 42. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the bolt ispositioned below and spaced-apart from the top wall 64 of the channelmount 42. Illustratively, the bolt 72 operates as a bridge or an armextending between and coupled to each of the side walls 62 of thechannel mount 42. Illustratively, it should be understood that anysuitable structure may be positioned between and coupled to one or moreof the side walls 62 in order to provide an anchor for the extensionspring 46, as discussed below.

The extension spring 46 is coupled at a first, upper end to the U-shapedportion of the U-bolt 48 while a second, lower end of the extensionspring 46 is coupled to the bolt 72. In use, therefore, the mountingbracket assembly 34 is tiltable relative to the cross-member 40 of thetrailer 10. In particular, the channel mount 42, including the spring 46and the bolt 72, is laterally tiltable relative to the cross-member 40while the U-bolt 48 and the mounting plate 44 remain generallystationary with the cross-member 40. As shown in FIG. 6, for example,the channel mount 42 and the side wall 30 mounted thereto are laterallytiltable outwardly in a direction 74 away from the trailer 10 andinwardly 76 in a direction toward the floor assembly 26 of the trailer10. Illustratively, the flanges 52 of the mounting plate 44 operate as astop to prevent further tilting movement of the channel mount 42relative to the mounting plate 44 in both the outward and the inwarddirections 74, 76. Further illustratively, the channel mount 42 isconfigured to tilt approximately 30 degrees outwardly and 30 degreesinwardly relative to its vertical position. However, it is within thescope of this disclosure to provide a channel mount 42 configured totilt relative to the cross-member 40 of the trailer 10 any suitabledegree.

Looking now to FIGS. 7 and 8, the flap 36 of the side skirt assembly 12is shown. Illustratively, the lower flap 36 includes an upper head 90and an elongated portion 92 extending downwardly therefrom. Across-section of the elongated portion 92 is tapered from the upper endto the lower end of the portion 92. Further, the lower end of theportion 92 is bendable and flexible (as shown in FIG. 8) to allow thelower flap 36 to bend in circumstances where the side skirt assembly 12engages a raised object as the trailer 10 is being towed. The head 90 ofthe flap 36 includes an aperture 94 configured to receive a fastener 96therethrough. Illustratively, the fastener 96 is also received throughan aperture (not shown) in a bottom end of one of the wall portions 32in order to secure the flap 36 to the wall panels 32. Further, a stripof tape 98 is provided between the head 90 of the flap 36 and the bottomend of the wall portions 32 in order to further secure the flap 36 tothe wall panels 32.

Looking now to FIGS. 9-11, another mounting bracket assembly 134 isprovided of a skirt system 112. Illustratively, the mounting bracketassembly 134 includes a channel mount 142, a plate 144, and a spring146. Similar to the assembly 34, the mounting bracket assembly 134 iscoupled to the cross-member 40 of the trailer 10 for lateral tiltingmovement relative thereto. Illustratively, the plate 144 is made ofplastic and operates as a wear pad between the tiltable channel mount142 and the cross-member 40. Of course, while the plate 144 is made ofplastic, it is within the scope of this disclosure for the plate 144 tobe made of other suitable materials as well.

Illustratively, the channel mount 142 is similar to the channel mount 42of the mounting bracket assembly 34 discussed above. As such, the samereference numbers are used to denote the same or similar features. Forexample, the channel mount 142 includes side walls 62, a front wall 65,and a rear wall 66 defining flange portions 67 having apertures 68formed therein in order to attach a wall panel 32 of the skirt wall 30thereto. The walls 62, 65, 66 of the channel mount 142 cooperate todefine a passageway 63 therebetween. A bolt 150 of the channel mount 142is received within a spring retainer 152 and the spring 146 ispositioned around the spring retainer 152. Illustratively, the springretainer 152 defines a guide tube which operates as a stop for the nut162 when the spring 146 is compressed during tilting movement of thechannel mount 142 relative to the cross-member 40. The bottom end of thebolt 152 is received through an aperture 158 formed in the flange 59 ofthe cross-member 40 of the trailer 10 such that the spring retainer 152and spring 146 are positioned above the flange of the cross-member whilea bottom end of the bolt 150 is received through the aperture 158 aswell as an aperture 154 formed in the mounting plate 144 and is securedthereto by a washer 160 and a nut 162, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11.

An access cover 164 is configured to be received within an accessaperture 166 formed in the front wall 65 of the channel mount 142 inorder to provide a user access to the nut 162 used to secure the bolt150 to the channel mount 142 and cross-member 40. Illustratively, theaccess cover 164 may be made of plastic or rubber; however, it is withinthe scope of this disclosure to provide an access cover made of anysuitable material. Illustratively, while the lock nut 162 is provided tosecure the bolt 150 to the channel mount 142 and the cross-member 40, itis within the scope of this disclosure to use another fastener such as acastle-type nut with a cotter pin, for example.

In use, the mounting bracket 134 operates the substantially the same asthe mounting bracket assembly 34 in that the channel mount 142 istiltable relative to the cross-member 40 of the trailer 40 in order toallow the skirt wall 30 coupled to the channel mount 142 of eachmounting bracket assembly 134 to tilt therewith. Illustratively, themounting bracket 134 is tiltable from its vertical position (shown inFIG. 11) both laterally inwardly (as shown in FIG. 10) as well aslaterally outwardly to provide a side skirt assembly 112 that is able topotentially avoid damage when the trailer 10 traverses into or over afixed, immovable obstacle, for example.

Looking now to FIG. 12, yet another side skirt system 212 includinganother mounting bracket assembly 234 is provided to couple the skirtwall 30 to the base rail 260 coupled to the cross-member 40 of thetrailer 10. Illustratively, the mounting bracket assembly 234 includes atorsion spring 236 including an upper arm 248, a spring body 250, and alower arm 252. The upper arm 248 is coupled to the base rail 260 of thefloor assembly 26 of the trailer 10 that is illustratively coupled tothe cross-members 40 of the trailer 10, as shown in FIG. 12. The upperarm 248 of the torsion spring 234 includes a plurality of apertures 262each configured to receive a fastener (not shown) therethrough in orderto secure the upper arm 248 to the base rail 260. Similarly, the lowerarm 252 of the torsion spring 234 includes a plurality of apertures 262configured to receive a fastener therethrough in order to secure thelower arm 252 to an upper end portion of the skirt wall 30. Similar tothe mounting bracket assemblies 34, 134 described above, the mountingbracket assembly 234 shown in FIG. 12 similarly allows the skirt wall 30to tilt laterally both inwardly and outwardly relative to thecross-member 40 in order to provide a side skirt assembly 112 that isable to potentially avoid damage when the trailer 10 traverses into orover a fixed, immovable obstacle, for example.

Looking now to FIGS. 13-16, still another side skirt assembly 312including a mounting bracket assembly 334 is provided to couple theskirt wall 30 to the trailer 10. Illustratively, the mounting bracketassembly 334 includes a leaf spring 346 and a spacer 348 coupled to theskirt wall 30. The leaf spring 346 includes an upper end portion coupledto the base rail 260 of the floor assembly 26 of the trailer 10 byfasteners, such as bolts 352 received through apertures in both the baserail 260 and the leaf spring 346. Illustratively, the bolts 352 aresecured to the base rail 260 and leaf spring 346 by nuts 354. Of course,it should be understood that other fasteners, such as rivets, screws,and/or welds may be used as well. The spacer 348 of the assembly 334 ispositioned between and coupled to each of the wall panels 32 of theskirt wall 30 and the portion of the leaf spring 346 which hangs belowthe cross-member 40, as shown in FIG. 14. Fasteners, such as rivets 360are received through apertures in the wall panels 32, the spacer 348 andthe leaf spring 346 in order to couple the three components together.Illustratively, the spacer 348 is made of plastic; however, it should beunderstood that any suitable material may be used. Similar to themounting bracket assemblies 34, 134, 234 described above, the mountingbracket assembly 334 shown in FIGS. 13-16 similarly allows the skirtwall 30 to tilt laterally both inwardly (as shown in FIG. 16) andoutwardly (as shown in FIG. 14) relative to the cross-member 40 in orderto provide a side skirt assembly 112 that is able to potentially avoiddamage when the trailer 10 traverses into or over a fixed, immovableobstacle, for example.

Looking now to FIGS. 17 and 18, still another side skirt system 412having another mounting bracket assembly 434 is provided to couple theskirt wall 30 to the trailer 10. Illustratively, the mounting bracketassembly 434 is coupled directly to the base rail 260 of the floorassembly 26 of the trailer 10 and includes an L-shaped mount bracket436, a U-shaped support 438, and a channel mount 442. The channel mount442 is similar to the channel mounts 42 described above and includes twoside walls 482, a front wall 465 coupled to one end of the side walls482, and side flanges 467 each coupled to the other end of one of theside walls 482. Illustratively, the skirt wall (not shown in FIGS. 17and 18) is coupled to the flanges 467 of the channel mount 442 in orderto tilt with the channel mount 442 relative to the cross-member 40 ofthe trailer 10.

Illustratively, the L-shaped bracket 436 include a first vertical arm450 adjacent and coupled to the inside surface of the base rail 260 bytwo fasteners, such as the nuts and bolts 452, 454. A horizontal seat ofthe 456 of the bracket 436 is coupled to the first vertical arm 450 andextends in a direction away from the base rail 260 while a second,shorter vertical arm 458 is coupled to the seat 456 and is parallel toand spaced-apart from the first vertical arm 450. A spring mount 460 isrigidly coupled to the seat 456 of the bracket 436 and extends upwardlytherefrom. The spring mount 460 includes a spring-receiving post 462 andan upper wall 464 coupled to the post 462. As is discussed in greaterdetail below, an upper end of the compression spring 446 engaged withthe upper wall 464 while a lower end of the spring 446 is engaged withthe U-shaped support 438.

The U-shaped support 438 includes a generally horizontal member 470 andan arm portion 472 coupled to each end of the horizontal member 470 suchthat the arm portions 472 are generally parallel to and spaced-apartfrom each other. As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the horizontal member 470rests upon and is engaged with the seat 456 of the bracket 436 and ispositioned such that the arms 472 of the support 438 hang downwardly. Aslot 474 formed in the horizontal member 470 of the U-shaped mountreceives the post 462 of the spring mount 460 therethrough.Illustratively, therefore, the bottom end of the spring 446 rests on andis engaged with the upper surface of the horizontal member 470 of themount 438. Each arm 472 of the U-shaped mount 438 is coupled to arespective one of the side walls 482 of the channel mount 442.Illustratively, the arms 472 are welded to the side walls 482; however,it is within the scope of this disclosure to couple the channel mount442 and the mount 438 using other suitable fasteners, such as bolts,rivets, screws, etc. Similar to the mounting bracket assemblies 34, 134,234, 334 described above, the mounting bracket assembly 434 shown inFIGS. 17 and 18 similarly allows the skirt wall 30 to tilt laterallyboth inwardly and outwardly relative to the cross-member 40 in order toprovide a side skirt assembly 112 that is able to potentially avoiddamage when the trailer 10 traverses into or over a fixed, immovableobstacle, for example.

Looking now to FIGS. 19 and 20, another side skirt system 512 includinganother mounting bracket assembly 534 is provided. The mounting bracketassembly 534 is similar to the mounting bracket assembly 434 shown inFIGS. 17 and 18; as such, like reference numerals are used to denote thesame or similar components. In contrast to the assembly 434, theassembly 534 includes an alternative mount bracket 536 coupled to thebase rail 260 of the trailer floor assembly 26. The bracket 536 includesspaced-apart side walls 550, 552, a top wall 554, and a bottom wall 556thus defining a generally rectangular structure. The post 462 of thespring mount 460 is coupled to and extends between the top and bottomwalls 554, 556 of the bracket 534 and the spring 462 is mounted thereon.The arms 472 of the U-shaped mount 438 are coupled to the side walls 482of the channel mount 442 by fasteners, such as rivets 444. Further, theseat 456 of the U-shaped mount 438 does not include any slot 474therethrough. Rather, the seat 456 includes an aperture (not shown)through which the post 462 of the spring mount 460 extends. Similar tothe mounting bracket assemblies 34, 134, 234, 334, 434 described above,the mounting bracket assembly 5334 shown in FIGS. 19 and 20 similarlyallows the skirt wall 30 to tilt laterally both inwardly and outwardlyrelative to the cross-member 40 in order to provide a side skirtassembly 112 that is able to potentially avoid damage when the trailer10 traverses into or over a fixed, immovable obstacle, for example.

Illustratively, the side skirt systems shown in FIGS. 1-20 include skirtwalls which are generally parallel to the side walls 14 of the trailer10. However, it is also within the scope of this disclosure to include aside skirt system having a skirt wall which is angled relative to theside walls 14 of the trailer 10 when the trailer 10 is viewed from abovein a plan view, for example. In particular, each of the right and leftskirt walls may be installed inwardly from the side walls 14 of thetrailer 10 at the front end of the trailer 10 to mount a front end ofeach skirt wall directly to or adjacent to the landing gear 24 of thetrailer 10. In such an embodiment, each skirt wall is angled outwardlyfrom the front end of the skirt wall to the rear end of the skirt wall.Of course, it is also within the scope of this disclosure to angle eachskirt wall outwardly from the rear end of the skirt wall to the frontend of the skirt wall such that the rear end of the skirt wall ismounted to the trailer 10 at a location inward from the side walls 14 ofthe trailer.

Further illustratively, the skirt wall 30 shown and described aboveincludes three wall panels 32 coupled to each other by an H-member 41and a single flexible flap 36 coupled to the bottom edge of the wallpanels 32 to provide a skirt wall 30 that tilts outwardly and inwardlyas a single unit. However, it is also within the scope of thisdisclosure to provide a skirt wall wherein the wall panels 30 are ableto tilt laterally both inwardly and outwardly generally independently ofeach other. In such an embodiment, the skirt wall may include a singleflexible flap, or may include multiple flap panels each coupled to oneof the wall panels 32. Further, such a side skirt system may include themultiple wall panels 32 without the H-member 41 therebetween and analternative channel mount (not shown) coupled to adjacent wall panels 32that is able to bend or flex to allow the wall panels 32 to tiltrelatively independent of each other. In particular, such an alternativechannel mount may be similar to the channel mount 42 shown in FIG. 4,for example. However, the alternative channel mount may be formed toexclude the rear wall 66 of the channel mount 42 such that thealternative channel mount includes only spaced-apart side walls (such asside walls 62), a front wall (such as front wall 65) and a side flangeextending outwardly from each side wall (such as side flanges 67). Eachside flange may similarly be coupled to one of two adjacent wall panels32. However, without the H-member 41 interconnecting adjacent wallpanels 32 and without any rear wall of the alternative channel mount,the wall panels 32 are able to tilt outwardly and inwardly relativelyindependent of each other due. Alternatively, the side skirt system mayinclude separate channel mounts each coupled to a single wall panel 32in order to allow the wall panels 32 to tilt laterally relativelyindependent of each other.

Looking now to FIGS. 21-27, a trailer 600 includes a side underridesystem 610 coupled to the floor assembly 26 of the trailer 600. As isdiscussed in greater detail below, the side underride system extendsbelow and generally along the side walls 14 (shown in FIG. 22) of thetrailer 600 in order to prevent an automobile from riding under thetrailer 600 in the event of a side impact collision, for example.Illustratively, the side underride system 610 includes front and rearmounting bracket assemblies 612, 614 coupled to the floor assembly 26 ofthe trailer 600 and a cable system 630 extending therebetween. As shownin FIGS. 21 and 22, the rear assembly 614 is positioned near the rearwheel assembly 22 and the front assembly 612 is positioned near thelanding gear 24 of the trailer 600. It should be understood, however,that the front and rear mounting bracket assemblies 612, 614, as well asany other front and rear mounting bracket assemblies disclosed herein,may alternatively be coupled to the trailer 600 at other locations alongthe length of the trailer 600. In particular, the mounting bracketassemblies 612, 614 may be coupled to the trailer 600 and positioned inspaced-apart relation to each other such that the cable system 630, aswell as any other cable system disclosed herein, extends along theentire, or substantially the entire, length of the trailer 600.Alternatively, the mounting bracket assemblies 612, 614 may be coupledto the trailer 600 and positioned in spaced-apart relation to each othersuch that the cable system 630 extends along only a small portion of thelength of the side of the trailer 10.

The front mounting bracket assembly 612 is shown in FIG. 23 and includesside flange members 620 configured to be coupled to the base rail 260(shown in FIG. 24) of the trailer 600, a vertical corner post 622coupled to each side flange member 620, a cross-brace 624 coupled to andextending between the corner posts 622, and support braces 626 eachcoupled at one end to a respective corner post 622 and at an oppositeend to the cross-brace 624. Illustratively, the flange members 620 aregenerally triangular in shape and are each welded to the adjacent cornerposts 622; however, it is within the scope of this disclosure to couplethe flange members 620 and the posts 622 together using fasteners suchas rivets, bolts, screws, etc. Similar to the flange members 620, thecorner posts 622 are each configured to be coupled to the base rail 260of the trailer 600 using a fastener such as a rivet, screw, bolt, etc.Illustratively, while only the front mounting bracket assembly 612 isshown and described in detail herein, it should be understood that therear mounting bracket assembly 614 is the same as or substantiallysimilar to the front mounting bracket assembly 612. Accordingly, therear mounting bracket assembly 614 also includes side flange membersconfigured to be coupled to the base rail 260 of the trailer 600.

As shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, the side underride system 610 furtherincludes a cable system 630 including a plurality of cables extending atleast partially along a length each of the right and left sides of thetrailer 600 from the front mounting bracket assembly 612 to the rearmounting bracket assembly 614. The cable system 630 includes threecables 632 which are each coupled to and terminate in a bottom portionof the corner post 622 of respective mounting bracket assemblies 612,614. Illustratively, the cables 632 may be steel cables and may beapproximately three-eights to ½ inch in diameter. Of course, it iswithin the scope of this disclosure to include any number of cables madefrom other suitable materials including composite rope, compositefibers, and other suitable high strength, low stretch materials, andhaving other suitable diameters as well. Further, the cables 632 may becovered in ballistic nylon or canvas to improve aerodynamic dragreduction thereon.

Cable terminals (not shown) may be used to receive the end of each ofthe cables 632 therein. Such cable terminals may be formed in and/orcoupled to the corner post 622 to secure the cables 632 thereto. Ofcourse, other suitable fasteners may be used to couple the cables 632 tothe mounting bracket assemblies 612, 614 as well. In use, the cables 632are taught and operate as a protective system to reduce the risk ofautomobiles sliding under the floor assembly of the trailer 600 during aside impact accident. Further, the cables 632 retain some flexibilityand thus operate to absorb some of the force and energy of any impactthereto to potentially decrease any forces on the passengers within theautomobile that is in the accident with the trailer 600.

As shown in FIG. 24, the cable system 630 includes three cables 632running in parallel to each other at least partially along a length ofthe trailer 600 to provide the side underride protection to otherautomobiles. Illustratively, the cable system 630, as well as othercable systems described herein, may be modified to extend along agreater or a lesser length of the trailer than what is illustrativelyshown in the figures. The cables 632 are approximately four to sixinches apart from each other. However, the cable system 630 of the sideunderride system 600 of the present disclosure may include any number ofcables 632 spaced any distance apart from each other. For example, thecable system 630 may include five cables 632, as shown in FIGS. 21 and22. Such cables 632 may be attached to the corner posts 622 and/or theflange members 620 of the mounting bracket assemblies 620.

Furthermore, the side underride system 600 may also include cablesupports 640 (shown in FIG. 21) to support the cables 632 along thelength of the trailer 600 between the front and rear mounting bracketassemblies 612. As shown diagrammatically in FIGS. 21 and 22, the cablesupports 640 include a plurality of vertical support members coupled toeach of the five horizontal cables. The vertical support members arespaced-apart from each other along the length of the cables 632 andoperate to provide increased stability and rigidity to the cable system630. Illustratively, each vertical support may include a chain extendingfrom the top cable 632 to the bottom cable 632 such that each of thefive cable 632 is threaded through one of the links of the chain.Further illustratively, the vertical support may include a more rigidbeam or bar having five apertures along the length of the bar to receivea respective one of the five horizontally-extending cables 632therethrough. Each of the vertical supports may be coupled to the floorassembly 26 of the trailer 600. In particular, the cable supports 640may be coupled to the base rail 260 and/or the cross-members 40 of thetrailer 600 and may operate to prevent drooping of the cables 632 and toassist the cables 632 in working together to take loading from a vehicleimpact and reduce the extend to which such a vehicle can intrude underthe side or ends of the trailer 10.

As shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, the cable system 630 includes cables 632which run along a length of the trailer 600 from the rear mountingbracket assembly 612 to the front mounting bracket assembly 612 alongeach of the right and left sides of the trailer 600. However, the cablesystem 630 may also include cables 632 which run across a width of thetrailer 600 from one vertical post 622 of one of the mounting bracketassemblies 612 or 614 to the other vertical post 622 of the samemounting bracket assembly 612 or 614, as shown in the alternativemounting bracket assemblies 712 of FIGS. 24-27, for example. Inparticular, the mounting bracket assemblies 712 are similar to themounting bracket assemblies 612; as such, like reference numbers areused to denote the same or similar components. However, the mountingbracket assemblies 712 shown in FIGS. 24-27, include alternativevertical corner posts 722.

Illustratively, each post 722 includes first and second adjacent sidewalls 724 and shortened end walls 726 each coupled to one of the sidewalls 724. As shown in FIG. 26, the cross-section of each corner post722 defines a partially-formed square tube. The corner posts 722 furtherinclude rounded cable guides 730 coupled to each of the end walls 726 inorder to guide a cable 632 therethrough to make a 90 degree bend. Asshown in FIGS. 26 and 27, the end of each cable guide 730 is receivedthrough an aperture in one of the end walls 726 of the post 722.Illustratively, the cable system 630 shown in FIGS. 24-27 includes threecables 632; thus, the post 722 includes three cable guides 730.Accordingly, the cable system 630 coupled to the mounting bracketassemblies 712 of FIGS. 24-27 may include continuous strands of cables632 extending along a first side of the trailer 600 from the frontmounting assembly 712, to the rear mounting assembly (not shown), acrossthe rear width of the trailer 600 (and thus across the rear mountingassembly), along a second side of the trailer 600 from the rear mountingassembly to the front mounting assembly 712, and across the front widthof the trailer 600 (and thus across the front mounting assembly 712).Further, the cable system 630 may include turn buckles 650 coupled toeach individual cable 632 in order to tension the cable 632 as desired.Of course, it should be understood that other suitable tensioningdevices may be used in order to tension the cables 632 as desired.

As shown in FIGS. 1-20, a trailer 10 may be provided with a side skirtsystem 12, 112, 212, 312, 412, 512 including any number of mountingbracket assemblies 34, 134, 234, 334, 434, 534. Further, as shown inFIGS. 21-27, a trailer 600 may be provided with a side underride system610, 710 including a variety of different cable systems 630 having anynumber of cables 632 and mounting bracket assemblies 612, 712.Illustratively, the side skirt systems and the side underride systemsmay be used together, as shown in FIG. 33, to provide a trailer havingboth a side skirt system extending along the length of each side of thetrailer and a side underride system also extending along the length ofeach side of the trailer. Illustratively, when the side skirt assemblyand the side underride system are used together, the side underridesystem is positioned laterally outwardly from the side skirt assembly inorder to allow the side skirt assembly to tilt laterally inwardly asuitable amount, as illustratively shown by the right portion of sideskirt system 12 in FIG. 33. However, it is also within the scope of thisdisclosure to position the side skirt assembly laterally outwardly fromthe side underride system when mounting both to the same trailer, asillustratively shown by the left portion of the side skirt system 12 inFIG. 33. Illustratively, the cable system of the side underride systemand the side wall of the side skirt assembly may be spaced any suitabledistance apart from each other as each are mounted to the floor assemblyportion of the trailer. It should also be understood that while FIG. 33illustratively shows the side skirt system 12 used with the cable system630, any of the side skirt systems disclosed herein may be used with anyof the side underride cable systems disclosed herein. Further, the sideskirt and cable underride systems disclosed herein may be coupleddirectly to each other. For example, the side skirt of any one of theside skirt systems disclosed herein may be directly coupled to any oneof the cable systems of the underride systems disclosed herein. As notedabove, the side underride system may also extend along the width of thetrailer at the front and rear mounting assemblies of the side underridesystem.

Looking now to FIGS. 28-30, a tether assembly 800 is provided. Thetether assembly 800 is coupled to both the trailer 10 and one of theside skirt systems disclosed above in order further maintain theconnection between the side skirt wall and the trailer in the event thatone of the mounting bracket assemblies happens to fail. The tetherassembly 800 also operates to provide added lateral stiffness for theside skirt wall. Illustratively, as shown in FIG. 28, the tetherassembly 800 is coupled to one of the cross members 40 of the trailer 10as well as the side skirt panel 32 of the skirt system 12. It should beunderstood, however, that the tether assembly 800 may be used with anyof the skirt systems disclosed above.

As shown in FIGS. 28 and 29, the tether assembly 800 includes a lowerbracket 810 coupled to one of the cross members 40 of the trailer 10.Illustratively, multiple tether assemblies 800 may be used with skirtsystem. Such tether assemblies may be positioned along the length of thetrailer and coupled to any number of cross members of the trailer tofurther connect the trailer to the skirt system. Illustratively, thebracket 810 includes a planar portion 812 having four apertures 814formed therethrough. As shown in FIG. 28, the planar portion 812 of thelower bracket 810 is adjacent to and engaged with a bottom surface ofthe cross member 40. The lower bracket 810 further includes a curved orhook portion 816 coupled to one end of the planar portion 812 and adownwardly-extending flange portion 818 couple do the other end of theplanar portion 812. As shown in FIG. 29, the flange portion 818 includestwo apertures 820 formed therethrough. Illustratively, the hook portion816 of the lower bracket 810 is configured to hook onto a side edge 822of the bottom, horizontal flange 59 of the cross member 40 such that anupper surface of the planar portion 812 is engaged with a lower surfaceof the flange 59.

The tether assembly 800 further includes an upper bracket 830 coupled tothe lower bracket 810. Illustratively, the upper bracket 830 includes aplanar portion 832 and a spacer 834 coupled to the planar portion 832.An aperture 836 is formed through the planar portion 832. In use, abottom surface of the planar portion 832 is adjacent an upper surface ofthe bottom flange 59 of the cross member 40, as shown in FIG. 28 and theaperture 836 of the upper bracket 830 is aligned with one of the fourapertures 814 of the lower bracket 810. A fastener is provided to securethe upper bracket 830 and the lower bracket 810 to each other such thatthe flange 59 is positioned between the two brackets 810, 830. As shownin FIG. 29, the illustrative fastener is a bolt 840 and nut 842.However, it should be understood that any suitable fastener, such as arivet, screw, or weld, for example, may be used. Further illustratively,while the aperture 836 of the upper bracket 830 is aligned with oneparticular aperture 814 of the lower bracket 810, it should beunderstood that the aperture 836 may be aligned with any of the fourapertures 814. In particular, the apertures 814 of the lower bracket 810are provided to allow the lower bracket 810 to be used with crossmembers 40 having bottom flanges 59 of various widths. As such, thelower bracket 814 may include any suitable number of aperturespositioned therethrough for use with any variety of differently-sizedcross members.

Looking still to FIGS. 28 and 29, the tether assembly 800 furtherincludes a pivot bracket 850 coupled to the lower bracket 810.Illustratively, the pivot bracket 850 is coupled to thedownwardly-extending flange portion 818 of the lower bracket 810. Thepivot bracket 850 includes a vertically-extending planar portion 852having a vertically-elongated slot 854 formed therethrough. The pivotbracket 850 further includes a side flange portion 856 coupled to a sideedge of the planar portion 852 and extending outwardly away from theplanar portion 852 to define a plane generally perpendicular to a planedefined by the planar portion 852. An aperture 858 is formed through theflange portion 856.

Illustratively, the pivot bracket 850 is pivotably coupled to the lowerbracket 810 by a fastener 860 including, for example, a tee nut 861 anda coordinating pivot bolt 862, as shown in FIG. 29. It should beunderstood, however, that any suitable fastener, such as a bolt, rivet,or screw, for example, may be used to pivotably secure the pivot bracket850 and the lower bracket 810 together. Illustratively, the fastener860, including the tee nut 861 and bolt 862, is received through theslot 854 of the pivot bracket 850 and one of the two apertures 820 ofthe flange portion 818 of the lower bracket 810. Accordingly, thefastener 860 operates as a pivot pin allowing the pivot bracket 850 topivot thereabout. As noted below, the slot 854 in the planar portion 852of the pivot bracket 850 enables the pivot bracket 850 to be able totranslate relative to the upper and lower brackets 830, 810.Illustratively, while the pivot bracket 850 is shown to be secured toone particular aperture 820 of the lower bracket 810, it should beunderstood that the pivot bracket 850 may be coupled to the otheraperture 820 as well. Illustratively, the flange portion 818 of thelower bracket 810 includes two apertures 820 to accommodate forroad-side and curb-side installations of the tether assembly 800 to thetrailer 10. In particular, in order to allow the tether assembly to bemounted at the forward-most end of the skirt assembly on both theroad-side and the curb-side of the trailer 10, the two apertures 820 areprovided. Furthermore, while the flange portion 818 of the lower bracket810 includes two apertures 820, it should be understood that the flangeportion 818 may include any suitable number of apertures 820therethrough to further accommodate for various road-side and curb-sideconfigurations.

The tether assembly 800 further includes a skirt fastener 870 configuredto couple the pivot bracket 850 to the side skirt wall 30.Illustratively, the skirt fastener 870 is a blind rivet having anexpandable rivet portion 872, including a head 876, and removable centerpin 874. Illustratively, the skirt fastener 870 is coupled to andextends through an aperture (not shown) formed in an upper portion ofthe side skirt wall 32. This aperture is formed through a stiffenerangle 878 coupled to an upper end portion of the side skirt wall 32.Illustratively, the rivet portion 872 is slip-fit into the aperture 858of the flange portion 856 of the pivot bracket 850 to secure the flangeportion 856 to the side skirt wall 32 such that the rivet portion 872 ofthe fastener 870 is positioned adjacent inside surface of the side skirtwall 32 and is received through the aperture 858 of the flange portion856, as shown in FIGS. 28 and 30. In use, the rivet portion 872 of thefastener 870 expands when the center pin 874 is removed in order tofasten the pivot bracket 850 and the stiffener angle 878 together. Asshown in FIG. 29, a rear surface (not shown) of the head 856 is adjacentto and engaged with an inner surface 880 of the stiffener angle 878 ofside skirt wall 32. Illustratively, it should be understood that whilethe skirt fastener 870 is a blind rivet, any other suitable fastener,such as any suitable rivet, screw, weld, or bolt, for example, may beused as well.

In use, as noted above, the tether assembly 800 is provided as a back-upsystem to maintain the connection between the trailer 10 and the sideskirt system 12 in the event that one of the mounting bracket assembliescoupling the side skirt system 12 to the trailer 10 fails. The tetherassembly 800 also operates to provide added lateral stiffness for theside skirt wall 32. As shown in FIG. 30, the pivot bracket 850 of thetether assembly 800 moves with the side skirt panel 32 to which it isattached as the side skirt panel 32 articulates relative to the trailerboth laterally inwardly and laterally outwardly. The upper and lowerbrackets 830, 810, however, remain stationary relative to the crossmember 40 to which they are attached. Illustratively, as the side skirtwall 32 articulates laterally outwardly, the vertically-elongated slot854 of the pivot bracket 850 allows the pivot bracket 850 to move withthe side skirt wall 32 relative to the upper and lower brackets 830,810. As shown, when the side skirt wall 32 is articulated laterallyoutwardly, the pivot fastener 860 is generally positioned at or towardthe top of the slot 854. When the side skirt wall 32 is in a generallyvertical orientation relative to the trailer 10, however, the pivotfastener 860 is generally positioned toward the bottom of the slot 854.Finally, when the side skirt wall 32 is articulated laterally outwardly,the pivot fastener 860 is again generally positioned at or toward thetop of the slot 854.

While the particular tether assembly 800 is shown and described herein,it should be understood that any suitable tether assembly which operatesto couple the side skirt wall 32 to the trailer 10 while allowing forinward and outward lateral movement of the side skirt wall 32 relativeto the trailer 10 is provided. In particular, as shown in FIG. 31, analternative tether assembly 900 includes a simple zip tie 910 and amounting bracket 912. Illustratively, the mounting bracket 912 iscoupled to the side edge 822 of the bottom flange 59 of one of the crossmembers 40 and the zip tie 910 is coupled to the mounting bracket 912.An aperture 914 is formed through the stiffener angle 878 of the sideskirt wall 32 and the body of the zip tie 910 is looped therethrough inorder to further secure the side skirt wall 32 to the cross member 40.Illustratively, while the zip tie 910 is shown, it should be understoodthat any suitable type of loop or strap connecting the side skirt panel32 to the trailer 10 may be used as well.

Further illustratively, another alternative tether assembly 1000 may beused to couple the side skirt wall 32 to one of the cross members 40 ofthe trailer 10. As shown in FIG. 32, for example, the tether assembly1000 includes a first arm 1010 coupled to the base rail 260 of thetrailer 10, a second arm 1012 coupled to the stiffener angle 878 of theside skirt wall 830, and a spring member, or living hinge, 1014 betweenthe first and second arms 1010, 1012. Illustratively, the first arm 1010is coupled to the base rail 260 by a bolt 1016, however, any suitablefastener may be used. Further illustratively, the second arm 1012 iscoupled to the side skirt wall 32 by the skirt fastener 870 describedabove in regards to the tether assembly 800. In use, the living hinge1014 allows the tether assembly 1000 to move with the side skirt wall 32as the side skirt wall 32 moves laterally inwardly and outwardlyrelative to the trailer 10.

Illustratively, as noted above, the tether assemblies 800, 900, 1000 maybe located along a length of each side skirt panel 32 between themounting bracket assemblies which are positioned at either end of eachside skirt panel 32 and which operate to couple adjacent side skirtpanels 32 to each other and to the trailer 10. In particular, two tetherassemblies may be coupled to each side skirt panel 32 such that thetether assemblies are located spaced generally equidistantly from eitherend of the side skirt panel 32. In other words, the two tetherassemblies may be respectively located at approximately one-third thelength of the panel 32 and two-thirds the length of the panel 32.However, it should be understood that any suitable number of tetherassemblies may be used in association with each side skirt panel 32 andthese tether assemblies may be spaced any distance apart from each otherand positioned at any location along the entire length of the side skirtsystem.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in theforegoing drawings and description, the same is to be considered asillustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood thatonly illustrative embodiments thereof have been shown and described andthat all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of theinvention are desired to be protected.

1. A side skirt system for reducing drag on a trailer, comprising: aside skirt wall configured to be coupled to one side of the trailer toextend below a side wall of the trailer at least partially along alength of the trailer; and a mounting bracket assembly coupled to theside skirt wall and configured to be coupled to a floor assembly of thetrailer, wherein the mounting bracket assembly and the side skirt wallare configured to move laterally outwardly and laterally inwardly withrespect to a generally vertical axis parallel to the side wall of thetrailer when the trailer is in transit, and wherein the side skirt wallremains generally rigid when the side skirt wall is positionedvertically and when the side skirt wall is moved laterally inwardly andlaterally outwardly.
 2. The side skirt system of claim 1, wherein theside skirt wall is configured to tilt approximately 30 degrees laterallyoutwardly relative to the vertical axis and approximately 30 degreeslaterally inwardly relative to the vertical axis.
 3. The side skirtsystem of claim 1, wherein the mounting bracket assembly includes aspring configured to be coupled at a first end to the trailer and at asecond end to the side skirt wall.
 4. The side skirt system of claim 3,wherein the spring is an extension spring, a torsion spring, acompression spring, or a leaf spring.
 5. The side skirt system of claim4, wherein the spring is a leaf spring configured to bend when the sideskirt wall is moved laterally outwardly and laterally inwardly.
 6. Theside skirt system of claim 5, further comprising a spacer coupled to aninside surface of the side skirt wall such that the leaf spring includesan upper end configured to be coupled to the trailer and a lower endcoupled to an inside surface of the spacer.
 7. The side skirt system ofclaim 3, wherein the mounting bracket assembly includes a channel mountconfigured to be coupled to the side skirt wall for lateral tiltingmovement therewith, and wherein the spring is received within apassageway of the channel mount.
 8. The side skirt system of claim 7,wherein the mounting bracket assembly further includes a U-shaped bolthaving a curved bottom portion received within the passageway of thechannel mount, and wherein the spring is coupled to the curved bottomportion of the U-shaped bolt.
 9. The side skirt system of claim 1,further comprising a tether assembly coupled to the side skirt wall andconfigured to be coupled to the floor assembly of the trailer, whereinthe tether assembly is configured to move with the side skirt wall bothlaterally outwardly and laterally inwardly with respect to the generallyvertical axis.
 10. A side skirt system for reducing drag on a trailer,comprising: a side skirt wall configured to be coupled to one side ofthe trailer to extend below a side wall of the trailer at leastpartially along a length of the trailer; a mounting bracket assemblycoupled to the side skirt wall and configured to be coupled to a floorassembly of the trailer, wherein the mounting bracket assembly and theside skirt wall are configured to move laterally outwardly and laterallyinwardly with respect to a generally vertical axis parallel to the sidewall of the trailer; and a tether assembly coupled to the side skirtwall and configured to be coupled to the floor assembly of the trailer,wherein the tether assembly is configured to move with the side skirtwall both laterally outwardly and laterally inwardly with respect to thegenerally vertical axis, wherein the tether assembly includes a lowerbracket and an upper bracket configured to be coupled to the floorassembly, and a pivot bracket coupled to the side skirt wall andpivotably coupled to the lower bracket, wherein the pivot bracketincludes a flange coupled to the side skirt wall and a planar portionhaving a generally vertically-extending slot formed therethrough, andfurther wherein a pivot pin is received through the slot and coupled tothe lower bracket to allow the pivot bracket to move with the side skirtwall relative to the upper and lower brackets.
 11. The side skirt systemof claim 1, wherein, when viewed from above, the side skirt wall isangled relative to the side wall of the trailer such that the side skirtwall angles outwardly from the front end of the side skirt wall to therear end of the side skirt wall.
 12. The side skirt system of claim 1,wherein the mounting bracket assembly further includes an outward stopand an inward stop configured to be rigidly coupled to the floorassembly of the trailer, wherein the outward stop operates to preventlaterally-outward tilting movement of the side skirt wall beyond apredetermined angle and the inward stop operates to preventlaterally-inward tilting movement of the side skirt wall beyond apredetermined angle.
 13. A side skirt system for reducing drag on atrailer, comprising: a side skirt wall configured to be coupled to oneside of the trailer to extend below a side wall of the trailer at leastpartially along a length of the trailer; and a bracket assembly coupledto the side skirt wall and configured to be coupled to a cross member ofa floor assembly of the trailer, wherein the bracket assembly includes(i) a lower bracket having a planar, horizontal portion configured to beadjacent and engaged with a bottom surface of a lower flange of thecross member, wherein the lower bracket includes the planar portion anda hook portion coupled to one end of the planar portion, and wherein thehook portion is configured to hook onto a side edge of the lower flange,and (ii) an upper bracket coupled to the lower bracket and configured tobe positioned adjacent and engaged with an upper surface of the lowerflange of the cross member wherein the planar, horizontal portion of theupper bracket includes a first aperture and the lower bracket includes asecond aperture, and wherein the bracket assembly further includes afastener received through the first and second apertures of the upperand lower brackets.
 14. The side skirt system of claim 13, wherein theupper bracket includes a planar, horizontal portion and a spacer coupledto the planar, horizontal portion.
 15. The side skirt system of claim13, wherein the fastener is not configured to be received through thecross member of the floor assembly.
 16. The side skirt system of claim13, wherein the planar portion of the lower bracket includes a pluralityof apertures aligned along a length of the planar portion of the lowerbracket such that the second aperture of the upper bracket may bealigned with any one of the plurality of apertures.
 17. The side skirtsystem of claim 13, wherein the side skirt wall is configured to tiltlaterally outwardly and laterally inwardly with respect to a generallyvertical axis parallel to the side wall of the trailer.
 18. A side skirtsystem for reducing drag on a trailer, comprising: a side skirt wallconfigured to be coupled to one side of the trailer to extend below aside wall of the trailer at least partially along a length of thetrailer, wherein the side skirt wall includes a rigid wall panel made ofa composite material and a flexible flap coupled to a bottom portion ofthe wall panel, wherein the wall panel is tiltable laterally outwardlyand laterally inwardly relative to the trailer with respect to agenerally vertical axis parallel to the side wall of the trailer whenthe trailer is in transit.